'Literally sobbing': Kai Trump has a bumpy start to college in Miami

Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald on Sep 4, 2026

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MIAMI — Despite being from a famous political family, Kai Trump is a lot like other kids who have mixed feelings going off to college.

The University of Miami freshman documented her bumpy start to school last week, and having to leave home for the first time.

In her YouTube confessional, posted Sunday, the D1 golfer broke down in tears in her car, saying even though she’s not “an emotional person,” having to say goodbye to everyone in Jupiter, Florida, was tough stuff.

“I’ve been, like, literally sobbing,” the 19-year-old Trump admitted, adding, “This is, like, really weird for me to cry.”

The eldest granddaughter of President Donald Trump also was dealing with prickly health issues. She told viewers the transition to moving away hit a snag when she got strep throat and had to drive back to Jupiter so that her mother could take care of her.

To add to the family stress: Kai’s mom, Vanessa Haydon, who is divorced from Donald Trump Jr. and dating Tiger Woods, has breast cancer.

Trump’s vlog ends on a high note, though.

She was almost all recovered and back on campus to show a pal the athletic center and put together furniture for her apartment.

“I’m still dying, if you can’t tell,” joked the influencer in a raspy voice.

On Tuesday, Kai posed for her official UM Hurricanes golf team photo on media day, and shared the official snap of her looking happy and focused on Instagram.

The caption: “Year 1. #gocanes.”